Jakarta, IO – Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) exco Arya Sinulingga confirmed that the naturalization of Justin Hubner, Wolverhampton Wanderers player, has been canceled, reported CNN Indonesia, Tuesday (18/4).
“We will not continue with Hubner naturalization because we cannot fulfill some of his request,” said Arya.
The announcement dashed the dreams of Indonesian football fans to see Justin Hubner return to the Indonesian national squad. Some of them said their goodbyes in the social media for the player who currently still a Dutch national.
Justin Hubner previously joined the naturalization program with Ivar Jenner and Rafael Struick. The three young players were sought to strengthen the national team for the 2023 U-20 World Cup in Indonesia, which has been canceled due to Israel participation.
Hubner admitted that he did not know the status of his naturalization process until he was called to play for the Netherlands U-20 national team in a match against France. This uncertainty may have led to his decision to play with the Dutch team.
Justin Hubner was born in Den Bosch on September 14, 2003. Her mother is Dutch, while his father is Indonesian of Jakarta, Makassar and Bandung heritage.
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Hubner debuted as a national team player when he played with the Dutch U-19 team on September 6, 2021. He was then called by Indonesian national team coach Shin Tae-yong to join the national team in October 2022.
The Indonesian national team manager appointed Rafael Struick, Ivar Jenner and Hubner as foreign players ahead of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup and in preparation for 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Hubner joined the Indonesian squad for a training camp in Turkey in November 2022. (un)